Mel Pearson makes a historic jersey number change

Submitted by Wolverine Devotee on

In the 95 year history of the program, no player has ever worn a number high than #39. 

Until now. 

The roster announcement today was wild seeing a #91 on a Michigan jersey. 

8 players will venture beyond #39. All but one of them are already on the roster and were apparently excited enough to want to leave their old numbers.

Here is the full roster.

# Player Pos. Ht/Wt Class
2 Luke Martin D 6-3/215 So.
4 Cutler Martin D 6-0/220 Sr.
5 Griffin Luce D 6-3/214 So.
8 Jack Becker F 6-3/195 Fr.
9 Josh Norris F 6-1/195 Fr.
10 Will Lockwood F 5-11/172 So.
11 Brendan Warren F 6-1/185 Jr.
12 Dakota Raabe F 5-9/155 Fr.
13 Jake Slaker F 5-10/184 So.
17 Tony Calderone F 6-0/200 Sr.
18 Adam Winborg F 6-2/200 So.
20 Cooper Marody F 6-0/190 Jr.
21 Michael Pastujov F 6-0/190 Fr.
22 Niko Porikos F/D 6-3/200 Sr.
25 Luke Morgan F 5-11/190 So.
28 Alex Roos F 5-9/175 5th
30 Hayden Lavigne G 6-3/200 So.
31 Chad Catt G 5-10/190 Jr.
33 Joseph Cecconi D 6-2/205 Jr.
43 Quinn Hughes D 5-9/175 Fr.
45 Jack LaFontaine G 6-3/197 So.
47 Christian Meike D 6-0/172 So.
61 James Sanchez F 6-1/184 So.
74 Nicholas Boka D 6-1/200 Jr.
88 Steven Merl F 6-4/207 So.
90 Dexter Dancs F 6-2/205 Sr.
91 Nick Pastujov F 6-0/202 So.

I think it's great and a great way to signify a new era.

A problem with just 1-39 is that Hockey's incredible history includes no numbers honored/retire.

You could have Al Renfrew, Red Berenson and Brendan Morrison honored with their own #9 banner. 

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JBDaddy

August 11th, 2017 at 1:23 PM ^

First Brian writes about Samuels today and gets me misty-eyed re-watching Denard.

Now I see #91 and the room gets dusty over the early 90's Red Wings. 

I don't usually follow hockey, but it's still powerful to see that number.  Is Nick Pastujov anywhere near that good, or is there another reason that's NOT invoking Federov?

 

Joined: 12/12/2010

MGoPoints: 1118

Pepto Bismol

August 11th, 2017 at 3:29 PM ^

He's from Bradenton, Florida, in the shadow of Tampa Bay, home of a more contemporary NHL star - #91 Steven Stamkos.

 

 

Joined: 02/03/2015

MGoPoints: 7857

Bando Calrissian

August 11th, 2017 at 1:28 PM ^

I'll say it: This was something that wasn't broken and didn't need fixing. 1-39 is the way it's always been, there are plenty of numbers to go around. Previous players bought into it as a cool element of the program's history, and as a long-time follower of this program, seeing a guy skate around in #91 at Yost is nothing that I see as awesome nor interesting.

/getoffmyicylawn

Joined: 07/02/2008

MGoPoints: 68117

stephenrjking

August 11th, 2017 at 1:35 PM ^

Huh. That's definitely interesting, and in Michigan hockey terms quite a big change. I don't mind it, I guess--Mel is a new coach. It's not like they're changing the uniforms.

I do kinda wish guys had kept their old numbers, but I wasn't that familiar with them anyway so it's no big deal to me.

Joined: 03/15/2012

MGoPoints: 20143524

Canadian

August 11th, 2017 at 2:05 PM ^

Had this conversation with my dad I came up with 4 numbers. Who am I missing?
9 Al Renfrew
9 Gordon Berenson
9 Brendan Morrison
11 Kevin Porter
31 Steve Shields
35 Marty Turco

Joined: 06/02/2012

MGoPoints: 13364

Alton

August 11th, 2017 at 2:17 PM ^

That's 4 numbers. 

You're missing Vic Heyliger, but (like Ty Cobb with the Tigers or Willie Heston with the football team) there's no number to retire for him.  You could maybe make a case for 12-Dave Debol or 10-Denny Felsner, and there is no way that I would include Steve Shields with those other 5.  He was great, but not "retired number" great.

You might also want to consider #17 Wally Grant.

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